Militant Buddhism?

Christian Caryl writes in the March 10 issue of Newsweek that Buddhism is playing an increasingly political, and sometimes militant, role throughout Asia. Some Buddhist organizations seem to be modeling conservative religious groups in the West, from decrying the decline of traditional values to enabling favored candidates to take political office. And some Buddhists have taken up arms.

The monk-led protests in Myanmar last year were not an anomaly, Caryl writes. In 2006, a conservative Buddhist organization in Thailand played a role in the removal of the Prime Minister. Monks in Sri Lanka lead the Jathika Hela Urumaya, "National Heritage Party," a strongly nationalist group that advocates a military solution to Sri Lanka's ongoing civil war. Buddhists in southern Thailand, under attack from Muslim militants, have formed paramilitary groups.

Buddhism also is growing rapidly in Asia. "In India, the birthplace of Buddha, there were only 8 million in 2001, but experts now set the total at 35 million," Caryl writes. "And in Taiwan, the number of Buddhists grew from 5.5 million in 2001 to 8 million in 2006." These growing numbers bring growing political power.

In the same issue, Caryl interviews Ahangamage Tudor Ariyaratne, leader of a large Sri Lankan organization calling for peaceful solutions based on Buddhist teachings. Ariyaratne also calls for monks to stay out of politics.

Photo Caption: Buddhist monks and others protest military oppression in Myanmar outside United Nations headquarters, September 27, 2007 in New York City.

Photo Credit: Mario Tama / Getty Images